Top 20 rank: 8
Rank in Soaps and Cosmetics: 1
As a Navy veteran, A.G. Lafley knows that turning around an aircraft carrier can't be done on a dime. Neither can turning around a mature conglomerate. That is the task Lafley assumed in 2000, after the company had suffered two profit warnings. Rank in Soaps and Cosmetics: 1
But like a ship, once the change in direction is made, a company can gain a certain momentum. And that has been the case with P&G, whose adjusted stock price has more than doubled on Lafley's watch. The key to P&G's success: strategic focus, innovation, and internationalization. Lafley's next challenge: to make sure he has trained his officers to take command. -Cait Murphy
See how Procter & Gamble rates in 8 key areas
Last updated March 03 2008: 2:10 PM ET
